GM CEO Barra promises unvarnished review of fatal-crash recall issue

With a $2,000 base price, the subcompact Pinto lacked protection for its rear-mounted fuel tank. It earned a reputation as a fire-prone death trap and Ford paid out millions in judgments.

With a $2,000 base price, the subcompact Pinto lacked protection for its rear-mounted fuel tank. It earned a reputation as a fire-prone death trap and Ford paid out millions in judgments. (Associated Press / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

In an email to GM employees, Barra said she is leading a team of senior executivesthat is monitoring the recall and the probe, making sure to provide federal regulators with “comprehensive information on this issue.”

GM has “launched an internal review to give us an unvarnished report on what happened. We will hold ourselves accountable and improve our processes so our customers do not experience this again,” wrote Barra, who became chief executive earlier this year.

Last month GM recalled more than 1.6 million vehicles because faulty ignition switches had caused at least 13 fatal crashes.

The ignition switches in the recalled vehicles can be inadvertently turned from the "run" position to the "accessory" position while the car is being driven. When this happens, the engine shuts off and safety systems — including power steering, anti-lock brakes and air bags — are disabled. This has led to at least 31 crashes and the deaths.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents show that GM knew of the problem as far back as 2004 but failed to recall the vehicles or make changes in future models.

Safety experts have criticized both the automaker and NHTSA for not moving faster.

"This is a total failure of the recall system," said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. "Both GM and NHTSA bear responsibility."

NHTSA has launched an investigation to "determine whether GM properly followed the legal processes and requirements for reporting recalls."

GM faces up to a $35-million fine.

“Recalls of this size and scope always take time to play out. Various other parties will naturally be involved, and GM will cooperate fully,” Barra wrote.

She acknowledged questions about whether “the recall of these out-of-production vehicles might affect our company’s reputation or sales of our current models. My answer is simple: that’s not the issue.

“Our company’s reputation won’t be determined by the recall itself,” Barra wrote, “but by how we address the problem going forward.”

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